2020-21 Financial Aid Checklist

2020-21 Financial Aid Checklist

Important Information

• Follow these steps to be considered for grants, loans and work-study.
• Pacific will award financial aid on the basis of your FAFSA, but if your FAFSA is selected for Verification, the funds cannot be paid into your student account until we have received and reviewed 2018 verification documents.
• If a student is selected for Verification, they will be contacted by the Office of Financial Aid and will receive a list of all documents required to process Verification.                                

Step 1.  Apply for Admission

• Admitted students who have filed a 2020-21 FAFSA will be notified of their financial aid award. 

Step 2.  Create an FSA ID

• Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. 
• What's an FSA ID and Why Do I Need One?

Step 3.  File the 2020-21 FAFSA online via http://www.fafsa.gov

• Have your FAFSA information sent to Pacific by entering school code 001329 (Please Note: Pacific does not accept the CSS Profile).
• If you complete the FAFSA online and your parent does not have an FSA ID or does not have a SSN, be sure to print, sign, and mail the signature page. All online filers should print the confirmation page.
• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on the FAFSA:

1. To use the DRT, log on to the FAFSA website and proceed to the parent and/or student financial section where there will be a box labeled "IRS Data Retrieval Tool."
2. Provide the requested information and you will be directed to the IRS's website, where you will authorize the IRS to transfer your tax information onto the FAFSA.
3. You will then be directed back to the FAFSA website, where you will sign and resubmit your FAFSA with Pacific's school code, 001329.
4. If the FAFSA is not resubmitted after the DRT is used, the tax information will not transfer to Pacific.

• For more tips on filling out your FAFSA, click here.

Step 4.  Cal Grant Awards

•  Manage your Cal Grant
  • Log on to  www.webgrants4students.org and create your online WebGrants for Students (WGS) account to:
    1. Understand and manage your Cal Grant award. 
    2. Update your address or school of attendance.
    3. The California Student Aid Commission communicates with students using their e-mail address on file so it is critical that you keep this information updated.
    4. Post a leave of absence.
    5. Allow a third party (such as a parent or guardian) access to your Cal Grant information.
    6. Satisfy outstanding requirements.
• For additional information, please visit the Cal Grant website and our Cal Grant Webpage.

Step 5. Complete your file (only if selected for Verification)

Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to collect documents to verify the information submitted by you and/or your parent(s) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools are prohibited from awarding/disbursing financial aid, until the Verification process is completed by the Office of Financial Aid. 

• It is important not to submit any documentation unless requested to do so by the Office of Financial Aid.
• If your FAFSA is selected for Verification, you will be contacted by the Office of Financial Aid through your u.pacific.edu student email.
  • If selected, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a link to create an account through "Verify My FAFSA" secure website, where you and/or your parent can submit and electronically sign your Verification Documents.
• Monitor your student email account for communications from the Office of Financial Aid.